Mmmm Mmmmm Good!

It’s funny how planning kid’s birthday party really is more for the parents than for the kids… I find I always try to out do myself… but yet somehow it always winds up a half spectacular half plain effort… I guess that could be said to be my style. It’s almost like the best part of having kids is planning all their wonderful birthday parties. Ava is only just shy of 2 years old, with her shindig in just a few weeks and I’m already thinking about what to do for her 3rd birthday party… Even crazier, I’m thinking about her yet to be born sibling’s momentous 100 day celebration. Even if it’s not a boy – it’s sure to be spectacular for sure – at least I hope so!

This year Ava’s 2nd birthday is a Hello Kitty Circus Themed party at the Long Island Children’s Museum. As far as the circus theme goes, it only goes as far as her invitations and perhaps the labels on the gift bags. There will be Hello Kitty Tattoos and a matching pinata… hopefully some themed treats to go in it. That’s where the spectacular-ness ends… sadly it lacks in what was envisioned… the guest list limited to only family and close friends, which meant her due date buddies only – yea all 12 of them! I had envisioned her classmates (from daycare) and all her little friends running wild in the museum… sadly 15 kids was the max, and I would have been closer to 40 kids… who knew my little one would be so popular! With a couple more weeks to go and still time to make minor improvements here and there – not to mention still order the birthday cake ~ argh! – I’m trying to think of a more personal touch. I contemplated personalized M&M’s with Ava’s adorable little mug on it… but thought that might actually be a better idea for her siblings 100 day celebration – think Red & Gold M&M’s with Chinese proverbs… kitchy and cute~! Browsing through a friend’s scrap booking catalog I was suddenly inspired to make treat bags… filled with either kettle corn popcorn or roasted circus peanuts or even yummier… my favorite Tate’s Bake Shop cookies! which leads to what I stumbled upon, the recipe for Tate’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup salted butter, 2 sticks

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

1 teaspoon water

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 large eggs

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease or line 2-3 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking soda and salt.

In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugars, then add the water and vanilla. Mix until just combined.

Add eggs to the butter mixture and mix them lightly.

Stir in the flour mixture. When flour is mixed in, fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop 2 tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough 2-inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Make sure the cookie sheets are well greased. I like to use parchment paper.

Bake for 12-17 minutes or until the edges and centers of the cookies are golden brown.

Suzanne is student, daughter, wife, (labor & delivery) certified registered nurse, certified lactation counselor, friend, entrepreneur and blogger – but the job she's most proud of is mother… She shares her journey on this blog and The Disney Files.
Read more about her here.